Updates–2026

Link to the Day Centre 2026 gallery here

June 2026 – There are touching stories about how our children are changing: Luca has changed enormously from being insecure and withdrawn, to raising his hand at school and having joy in finishing his homework by himself, and coming happily to tell our staff that he got a good mark.
Maria is one of the most sensitive and fearful children but now she talks and laughs more. She likes to stay at the Centre and stays close to those dear to her, holding their hand.
Gabi has been through hard times, he was a sad and lost child when he first came to the Centre. Now he is growing up beautifully, working hard at school and trying to prove that he can succeed. He laughs and jokes more with the other children and is starting to have hope. Sometime's he's heard talking about the future and what he wants to do.
Florentina was a withdrawn, shy and fearful child but is now integrating well with the children. She participates and communicates more and even laughs with the other children, showing how much a child's life can change if they have a place where they feel loved, seen and accepted.
Everyone is working hard now, preparing for the end of the school year. The older children want to continue their education by going to the high school in the city 40 km away and they talk about it with hope and impatience. They talk about new teachers and the future. They want to work for a better life.
As Oana our social worker wrote, "There are moments when children sit at tables and do their homework, argue over pencils, laugh, help each other, or come to give a hug for no reason... and then we realize how much their souls have healed in all this time".
There is some wonderful news about Andreea, a child from an extremely poor single parent (the dad) family who I met when she was in grade 5. Her dad went to the Centre and told about how she was getting married to a hardworking boy and is now in Belgium working in a management position in a greenhouse. He said she always says she got there because of our Centre which was an encouraging, quiet, warm place for her to do her homework without worrying about not having clothes or school supplies.

March 2026 – Last month our social worker Marius got some of the unemployed parents in qualification courses. The parents are very grateful to learn something which will help them get work, and the courses are held at the Centre which means they are accessible. For some this is the first chance anyone has given them for a real opportunity to work. They are full of hope, and Marius and Oana will support them as they try to find jobs.The first one is a security guard course, the next one is workplace accident prevention and the third is digital competence. This could really lead to a more stable life for their families.
It's an intense period at the farm with the sheep having lambs, and the pig having piglets. It means night and day supervision, but the animals can be sold which helps with income.
Nine year old Sami's dad died a couple of weeks ago and Marius and Oana were there to help. Sami's family now has no income. Oana said they are near the family to offer emotional and practical support so they can make it through this.
The children are enjoying good weather and are so happy to learn and play outside, being happy in the simple things.

January 2026 – The children had a good Christmas season with daily carol singing, and Oana our social worker managed again to have businesses provide presents. Sick children were visited at home.
The days ahead of Christmas, the children wrote letters to Santa, and like every year their requests were so modest. When a little girl was asked why she wasn't writing anything, she replied that she was afraid to ask for too much. Finally she did write that she wanted a doll and a chocolate bar. A little boy wrote that he wanted a sweater. When he was asked what else he wanted, he smiled and said he didn't want anything else, that would last him the winter.
Some children asked for toys, others asked for sweets, and then there were letters which asked for dad to be more at home, that parents wouldn't fight anymore, that mom would be healthy. One child opened his present very slowly as if he were afraid it would disappear. Another came to Oana with a toy in his arms and whispered asking if he could take it home and was it really his?
A little girl put a new piece of clothing she received over her old clothes and completely changed into someone who with dignity thought she was beautiful. The most touching thing was when a child received his present and without opening it, hugged it close to him and said he was taking it home to show his brother.
The children are well, happy and more courageous in their learning. They feel at home at the Centre, loved and encouraged. The hot meals help the children be energetic and concentrate on their schoolwork.They are making constant progress with their homework, even as it gets harder. More and more often they say with joy, "look, I got it myself!" We are helping them stay in school, which is our mission.
The new store is becoming an important part of the children's lives. They know that proceeds go to paying the Centre's utilities, and loving the Centre, they appreciate it all. The children are integrated in the store's activities so they can learn the meaning and value of hard work.